Master of Arts/Master of Fine Arts in Transdisciplinary New Media

Production of new media is no longer the province of individual artists or designers working by themselves, but rather involves the collaborative practice of multidisciplinary teams.

Designed for those who are interested in exploring the wide-ranging creative field of New Media that goes beyond traditionally defined art and design disciplines, this program employs methods of transdisciplinary practice through collaborative teamwork. Through a shared creative process, students will re-frame their current understanding of different tools, technologies, theories, and methods, developing hybrid systems and solutions that go beyond any one discipline.

At PCA, students can complete either a Masters of Art (MA) or a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Transdisciplinary New Media. The first two semesters (fall and spring) of these programs follow a common curriculum. MA students complete their thesis in the spring term to receive their degree while MFA students continue for two semesters of study in the following academic year (fall and spring) to receive their degree.

Graduates of both the MA and MFA will go on to apply their skills to collaborative projects in domains as varied as online and traditional publishing, video games, art installations, exhibitions, live performances, web design, interaction/interface design, software development, service design, etc. As well, the MFA, which is considered a terminal degree in this field, will open the doors to teaching opportunities in higher education for our graduates.

What are the advantages of studying in Paris?

Paris is a great place for new media, between the game and software industries and digital art venues like Gaité Lyrique and Palais de Tokyo. While people may work remotely, face-to-face interactions help solidify links between people, so having direct access to Parisian networks is equally important for the graduates’ future practice. Paris attracts international talent, and you will need to go out to these venues regularly, participate in calls for projects and socialize. It is important to nurture your network.

MA Curriculum

One-year program

• Creativity and Technology
• Digital Media and Technology I & II
• Introduction to Research & Methodology
• Masters Electives
• Collaboration and Technology
• Intermediate Research & Methodology
• Professional Networking Series
• MA Thesis

MFA Curriculum

Year One

• Creativity and Technology
• Digital Media and Technology I & II
• Introduction to Research & Methodology
• Masters Electives
• Collaboration and Technology
• Intermediate Research & Methodology
• Professional Networking Series

Year Two

• Critical Practice and Technology I & II
• Digital Media and Technology III
• Advanced Research & Methodology
• MFA Thesis
• MFA Degree Project
• Masters Electives

The program is open to any applicant who has successfully completed an undergraduate degree (BFA, BA, BSc, BID, BArch, etc.). To encourage this transdisciplinary approach, candidates from varied backgrounds-including art, design, programming, business, literature, philosophy, science, music, and theory-are actively encouraged to apply. Because we want to encourage students with varied skillsets and perspectives some students may be required to take preparatory summer undergraduate courses or pre-requisites: applicants without a BFA are required to have at least two semesters of Art or Design History; applicants with non-technical backgrounds will be required to attend a summer or online course prior to enrollment to shore up skills that may otherwise be lacking (Video, Web (HTML, CSS, PHP), and Processing).

You will meet some of the people who make up the PCA community. Our department chairs, staff and current students will be available to fill you in on all that makes PCA a great place to study. Sign up here